Legal treatment of the victim-offender relationship in crimes of violence

Prior theory and research indicate that the victim-offender relationship is an important factor in determining how an offender is treated at various stages of the criminal justice system, with stranger offenders faring worse than nonstranger offenders in all stages of legal processing. This study in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Simon, L. M. J. (Author)
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
Published: 1996
In: Journal of interpersonal violence
Year: 1996, Volume: 11, Issue: 1, Pages: 94-106
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
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Summary:Prior theory and research indicate that the victim-offender relationship is an important factor in determining how an offender is treated at various stages of the criminal justice system, with stranger offenders faring worse than nonstranger offenders in all stages of legal processing. This study investigates whether the victim-offender relationship plays a role in determining the original charge, the crime conviction, and the sentence length of inmates in prison for violent crimes. Data consist of interview and official record information of 273 sentenced and incarcerated violent male offenders. The results indicate that the victim-offender relationship is related to the legal processing, but in paradoxical ways. Thus, although nonstranger offenders are charged with and convicted of more serious crimes, stranger offenders receive significantly longer sentences. Implications for policy and future research are discussed
ISSN:0886-2605
DOI:10.1177/088626096011001007